Amusement device



MW 2, w33 J. B. MILLET ET A1. 9906,993

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 30, 1932 `Lmmmmll INVENTOR Tun ff my@ T W ATTORNEY Patented May 2L, 193B JOSIH B. MILLET, MICHEL J. MCCART-IY, AND ARTI-IUE, GRAHAM CAREY, 0F CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS; SAIE MCCARTI'IY AND CAIR-EY ASSIGNORS TO SAID MILLET AMUSEMENT DEVICE Application. filed January 30, 1932.

This invention relates to apparatus and method of making smoke rings and has for an object the provision of improvements in this art. The invention was developed to provide an amusement device or toy but may have wider uses.

In order to furnish a full understanding of the nature and objects of the invention it will be described by reference to an illustra tive embodiment thereof. rlhis embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the eXemplary device in use;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged topi plan yiew;

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section;

Fig. 4l is a tansverse section taken on the line 1--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a partial view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a modification.

In making smoke rings with a mechanical device the smoke must irst be enclosed in a vessel or container and then be ejected torcibly through an opening thereof into the atmosphere. The smoke may either be generated within the container or be introduced thereinto from outside sources. Ordinarily the latter method proves most convenient since cigar or cigarette smoke which is every where available is entirely satisfactory for making rings. Provisions have been made in the present device for expelling air to allow the smoke to be introduced. More perfect rings can be made and they can be made to travel further when they are ejected with a quick movement followed by a sudden stop or" the ejecting element. This is provided Jfor in the present device by the use of a. stop abutment and associated parts.

The present device comprises telescoping cylinders 10 and 11. The cylinders are pressed apart by a spring 12. The spring has suflicient strength to require considerable force in bringing the cylinders together. This gives the speed and impact of parts re- Serial No. 589,792.

quired to form good rings and to project them a. considerable distance.

The length of stroke in telescoping the cylinders will depend on the size of the opening for the rings and the speed with which the cylinders are moved but in any case is usually relatively short. In the present embodiment the length of stroke is limited at least in the expanding movement and if dcsired in the contracting movement also by a stop 1dwhich is secured to one cylinder, as by being passed through a close fitting aperture 15 thereof. The stop has movement relative to the other cylinder as by being passed through an elongated aperture 16 thereof. ln the present specific construction the stop means for contracting movement comprises an annular shoulder formed on the bottom of cylinder 10 against which the end of cylinder 11 impinges. rllhe stop means in either case brings the movement of the cylinders to a sudden halt and greatly assists in giving the impact action required for making good rings.

rlhe mounting of the stop 14 which is provided herein furnishes a simple and inexpensive assembly. The stop is attached to a spring linger 17 which can be pressed inward until the stop has cleared the outer aperture 16, thus permittin0` the cylinders to be completely separated from each other. The spring linger 17 is attached to a split spring ring 13 which lits within the cylinder 10. The ring 18 also provides a support for the coil spring 12. its shown, a ledge 19 is 'ormec on the ring for seating the spring. Preferably the spring linger 17 extends to the bottom or" the cylinder so as to place the thrust of the spring thereon. This, of course, is not necessary if the spring ring 18 has sui'iicient friction with or if it attached to the cylinder in which it is mounted. The spring 12 when placed near the ring forming hole is made sufticiently large to lie near the cir` cumiterence of the cylinder where it will not obstruct the free passage ci" the smoke.

A hole 2O i stormed in the end of the lower cylinder 10 for the escape of air when smoke is introduced by way of hole 13. Vfhen making rings it is best to keep the hole 2O closed as by placing the thumb over it. This hole if of proper size may also be used for making rings. In this case the finger is held over the other hole 13. A draft through the container or random eddy currents hinders the formation of rings. Such a disturbance Would probably exist if both holes were open at once, although it is possible to make rings at opposite ends simultaneously. Rings are projected by this apparatus so as to have rapid rotation about their annular axes.

A plurality of rings may be formed in a single telescoping action of the cylinders by a pause betveen successive movements of the cylinders or other ring producing media. This interrupted or intermittent action may be produced in a number of Ways. One Way is illustrated in Fig. 7. There a series of corrugations 25 is formed on one cylinder to cooperate with a projection 26 on the other cylinder. The size of the corrugations depends somewhat upon the size of the hole used for forming rings, speed of movement and other considerations.

From the above description it Willbe seen that the invention provides an improved device for making smoke rings, Which is inexpensive to manufacture, and which can be readily assembled or taken apart for cleaning or repair.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described particularly it is to be understood that various changes and 1nodi fications may be made Within the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

l. Apparatus for making smoke rings comprising in combination, a container, mutually movable sides for said container, both sides being movable along a common axis, and an opening in each of said sides.

2. Apparatus for making smoke rings comprising in combination, a container including telescopic cylinders, a spring ring in one cylinder frictionally engaging the Wall thereof, a spring support on said spring ring, and a coil spring resting on said support and engaging the other cylinder for urging the telescopic cylinders apart.

3. Apparatus for making smoke rings comprising in combination, a container including telescopic cylinders one of which has an opening in one end for forming smoke rings, and a spring for urging said cylinders apart, said spring being disposed Within and adjacent the circumference of said cylinders to avoid obstructing the entrance to said opening.

4. Apparatus for making smoke rings comprising in combination, a container including telescopic cylinders, a spring ring therein, a coil spring for separating said cylinders resting on said spring ring, a spring finger secured to said spring ring, and a stop on said nger for limiting the movement of said cylinders.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which said stop passes through aligned holes in the side Walls of said cylinders whereby the cylinders may be separated by removal of said stop from said holes.

V6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in Which said spring finger engages the bottom Wall of the cylinder in which said spring ring is mounted.

7. Apparatus for making smoke rings comprisinor in combination, telescopic cylinders provided With a smoke forming opening, and means to cause said cylinders when moved relative to each other in one direction without reversal to create a series of impulses for forming a plurality of rings, said means including cooperating roughened elements on the cylinders.

In Witness whereof, We have signed our names to this specification this 27th day of January, 1932.

JOSIAH B. MILLET. M'ICHAEL MCCARTHY. A. GRAHAM CAREY.

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